New land developments in the Niagara Region create a demand on the regional government to offer services to those buildings. The purpose of Regional Development Charges is to recover the growth-related costs associated with the capital infrastructure needed to service new development.
Procedure for Development Charges Payment
Step 1: Consult with your Local Building Official
Any person or business who is planning a construction project must consult with their local Building Official to obtain a building permit. The Regional Development Charges is just one component of your building permit fee.
Step 2: Obtain the proper forms, complete and submit
Your local building official will provide you with more information and access to all the forms that will need to be completed before moving ahead.
Step 3: Review building permit, pay fees before proceeding
Once the building permit request is submitted, your local official will provide you with a breakdown of costs including permit fees, local development charges and finally the Regional Development Charges. These fees will have to be paid before the building permit will be issued.
Current Fees for Development Charges
The Development Charges is calculated and collected for any construction project that needs a building permit to complete. Regional Development Charges won’t be charged for water or wastewater management where those services are not available.
Effective September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010
|
Residential per Dwelling Unit |
Non-residential (excluding industrial) |
Non-residential industrial |
Category of service |
Single Detached |
Other Multiple |
Apartment/Lodging Unit |
Pre square foot of gross floor area |
Pre square foot of gross floor area |
General Government |
$52 |
$36 |
$30 |
$0.06 |
$0.02 |
Police Services |
$115 |
$79 |
$66 |
$0.13 |
$0.04 |
Roads |
$3601 |
$2476 |
$2071 |
$4.08 |
$1.20 |
Sub total |
$3,768 |
$2,591 |
$2,167 |
$4.27 |
$1.26 |
Wastewater (if available) |
$2,979 |
$2,048 |
$1,713 |
$2.26 |
$0.66 |
Water (if available) |
$1,253 |
$861 |
$720 |
$0.97 |
$0.28 |
Total
(Sep. 1/09 - Aug. 31, 2010) |
$8,000 |
$5,500 |
$4,600 |
$7.50 |
$2.20 |
Fees Increasing over 5-year Period
The new Regional Development Charges will be phased in over a five-year period in order to ease those affected by the charged into the new fee schedule.
| |
Single Detached |
Other Multiple |
Apartment/
Lodging Unit |
Pre square
foot of
gross floor
area |
Pre square
foot of
gross floor
area |
| Total (Sep. 1, 2010 - Aug. 31, 2011) |
$8,500 |
$6,000 |
$5,000 |
$8.00 |
$2.20 |
Total (Sep. 1, 2011 - Aug. 31, 2012) |
$9,000 |
$6,300 |
$5,300 |
$8.50 |
$2.20 |
Total (Sep. 1, 2012 - Aug. 31, 2013) |
$9,500 |
$6,700 |
$5,600 |
$9.00 |
$2.20 |
Total (Sep. 1, 2013 - Aug. 31, 2014) |
$9,746 |
$6,778 |
$5,648 |
$9.23 |
$2.20 |
Indexed annually in accordance with sections 20-23 of the Development Charges By-law.
Fees Increased to Help with Infrastructure Projects
The Niagara Region has enjoyed some of the lowest development charges in Ontario, with other southern Ontario regions charging more than double. The changes to the Development Charges by-law are being made to keep the region competitive in the province, while ensuring Niagara Region taxpayers are receiving first rate service from their government.
On July 30, 2009, Niagara Region Council passed a new by-law that will help ease the burden on taxpayers by raising the costs of development charges on new homes and commercial developments being built in the region. Currently, taxpayers are paying for many of the costs associated with new developments in Niagara. The new by-law takes affect Sep. 1, 2009.
The higher rates will ensure important infrastructure projects can be completed over the next 10 years. Even with the increases, development charges in Niagara will still remain amongst the lowest in Ontario.
Refund Process for Development Charges
Depending on where your project is located (within certain boundaries or in a Brownfield) you may qualify for a Development Charges refund.
Submit a refund application to be considered for a refund.
Contact Richard Bendell for more information on the refund process.
Contact the Region for more information:
- Phone: 905-685-1571 or 1-800-263-7215
- Mail: 2201 St. David’s Road, P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, Ontario L2V 4T7
- Contact by email
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